Courtesy photos The City of Monte Vista is in the process of selling the Vali 3 Theater and held two open houses recently for potential buyers. The city would like the downtown building to remain a movie theater or entertainment venue.

MONTE VISTA — The City of Monte Vista held two open houses for prospective Vali 3 Theater buyers — Sept. 12 and 14. Monte Vista City Manager GiGi Dennis and MV City Clerk Unita Vance provided information to people that came to either open house. The theater is in the heart of Monte Vista’s downtown on Adams Street.

“This gives prospective buyers the chance to tour the theatre and see the theatre, and the equipment that comes with the theatre,” Dennis said.

On Aug. 4, the Monte Vista City Council held a meeting, and the idea was proposed to sell the theater because it was costing the city a lot of money. The theater was donated to the city in 2014, after the prior owners were unable to financially keep up with the changes in technology for the theater.

After being donated to the city, the theater was closed for a period. The city did try to reopen the theater, but the cost of technology, including converting the three screens to a digital format, proved to be financially difficult.

After some time, the city organized meetings and partnered with many Monte Vista stakeholders, to revitalize the theatre and reopen its doors. A committee was also put together called the Friends of Vali 3; a volunteer committee that came together to help run the theatre for the city.

The Vali 3 Theater reopened, and has been open for quite some time, with Friends of Vali 3, hosting many movies along with an annual Mountainfilm on Tour event.

Even after reopening the theater struggled. Compliance issues were brought up, including entrance and exit signs not being up to par for the venue. There were many updates and improvements that were needed for the theater.

As the city held liability insurance on the theater and paid the utilities for the theater, these things were becoming worrisome to the city.

A grant had been applied for to help the city form a business plan for the theater but after a lot of discussion the council decided that the theater was costing the city too much and it was in the best interest of the city to sell it, put it up for auction or give it away.

Three different council meetings were held with discussion regarding the theatre, to nail down a plan for the city and the theater. On Sept. 1, the city solidified its plan for the theater. Open houses would be held to attract prospective interested parties in the theater, and the city decided to sell the theater.

At the open houses, Vance took people around the theatre for tours, and told people about the items and equipment that come with the theater.

A brochure with information about the theater was also given out. The brochure also listed what equipment will be sold with the theater, property tax cost, the average cost of utilities and updates that will need to be made when purchased, and other valuable information for potential buyers. The city would like the theater to remain a movie theater or entertainment venue when purchased.

Perspective buyers or people interested in the theater, can contact Dennis at 719-852-2692, for more information, email her at [email protected]. Anyone interested in buying the theater can obtain a request for proposal form online at cityofmontevista.colorado.gov.